My sister found this wedding book at an estate sale. It is the wedding memories of Rosa Florence Vermilion-Gilek. Her family did not want it. My sister paid $1 for it.
Rosa married William Thomas Gilek in 1921 in Salina, Kansas. She wrote details of their engagement, wedding, and honeymoon in this book.
The book includes newspaper articles, receipts, copies of their wedding invitation, and other keepsakes from the event.
This is a wedding book, but it’s really about Rosa. She saved pieces of fabric from her “bridal tour” blouse and wedding dress in this book and documented the detail of her bridal gown in her own words.
“The bride’s gown was of cream or eggshell silk canton crepe trimmed in beautiful lace. Round neck – not very low – sleeves coming near the elbows. 3 rows of lace on neck & sleeves. Loose like bodice coming to waist line – brood sash of same material with large bow in back – full gathered skirt with 3 rows of lace in this manner [drawing of lace] above the hem. Ankle length. White slippers.”
There is a photograph of Rosa in her wedding dress in the book. Did she describe it well?
In addition to Rosa’s happy memories stored in this book, there was one sad memory tucked inside an envelope. Rosa and William lost a baby boy in 1929.
Grave of Rosa Vermilion-Gilek
I visited Rosa’s grave. She’s buried in Anthony, Kansas next to her husband William and their baby John.
Rosa’s Wedding Book
You can download a PDF of Rosa’s wedding book here, or scroll through scanned images of the book below.
“Tiny mysterious envelopes were distributed to the guests. The cards announced the engagement of Miss Rose Vermilion and Mr. Gilek of Corwin. The romance has been an open secret for some time but their friends did not realize the wedding day was so near. The young people were showered with congratulations and advice(?).”
“A diamond ring of tiffany setting was given the bride to be.”
Gifts included: a silver frame, Pyrex casserole dish, two Pyrex pie plates, two Pyrex baking dishes, a cake stand, a hand painted plate, a crochet doily, and a hand painted book of advice.
“A travelling suit of navy blue wool serge, consisting of jacket and shirt was worn for the bridal tour. A blouse of salmon colored satin faced crepe was worn with the jacket which made a most attractive combination. The blouse was hand embroidered in black. This was made by the bride’s sister, Myrtle. A soft hat, taffeta with brim of navy blue taffeta and trimmed in bronze beads which was very becoming. White silk gloves. Brown Oxfords and brown hose to match. A black purse completed the traveling suit.”
“The bride’s gown was of cream or eggshell silk canton crepe trimmed in beautiful lace. Round neck – not very low – sleeves coming near the elbows. 3 rows of lace on neck & sleeves. Loose like bodice coming to waist line – brood sash of same material with large bow in back – full gathered skirt with 3 rows of lace in this manner [drawing of lace] above the hem. Ankle length. White slippers.”
Wedding gifts included: cut glass sherbet cups, linen table cloth, tea spoons, cold meat fork, butter plate, a pink and yellow comforter “Grandmother Armstrong made with her own hands,” a button bag, tea towels, a bar of soap, and a scarf for the library table.
“The wedding took place at high noon. The room was decorated in ferns and flowers. The bridal party descended the stairs, led by the minister, the bride placing her hand on the grooms arm; while Santa Lucia was being played on the Edison. The guests were standing when the bridal party entered the room and remained standing during the ceremony. The ring ceremony was used.
“Following the ceremony and congratulations, a few minutes was spent in taking snap shots. Dinner was served in the dining room at a long table. Place cards suggestive of the wedding were arranged and after each guest found his place, the guests were seated and grace was said by the Reverend M. G. Terry, D.D. who also officiated at the wedding. A bountiful three course dinner was served.
“Fruit cocktail, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, creamed peas, brown gravy, celery, jelly, bread, butter, pickles, side dish of salad (lettuce, pineapple, cream mayonnaise), brick ice cream, spice nut cake, white cake, coffee.”
“Immediately after dinner the bridal party went to the photographers and had a number of views taken. After their return the “bride’s cake” which had been baked by Mrs. Swift was cut by the bride, assisted by the groom. A portion of the cake was served to each guest.
“As the bride and groom returned from the photographers, the groom’s father hurled some old shoes at them just as they entered the parlor. These shoes had been brought to the home by a neighbor, Mrs. E.H. Fonts, who had expected to wish the bride and groom good luck with them. Because of our absence just at that time, the groom’s father gladly shouldered the responsibility of wishing good luck to the bride and groom.
“These same shoes were used as we were about ready to start on our bridal tour. They were tied to the bumper of the car. The groom noticing them took them off. They were again tied on by well wishers. This time they were left on until we drove out of town.
“The bride’s bouquet was a most beautiful spray of bride’s roses, rose pink in color with plenty of fern and smilax to make it very effective. One rose plucked from the bouquet was worn by the groom.
“After the ceremony the bouquet was given to the groom’s sister, Miss Ellen Gilek, who in turn returned it to the bride.”
“The bride gave the groom a gold band wedding ring. The groom presented the bride with a gold wedding ring which was used in the ceremony. The diamond was given earlier.”
“The bride and groom spent ten days sight seeing and visiting. The bridal party left Salina at 5 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21. We made the trip to McPherson Wednesday evening where we had a room in the Union Hotel. The next morning we drove to Hutchinson to the State Fair which we thoroughly enjoyed, spending two days there. We drove to Halstead where we were very hospitably entertained Friday night by the bride’s sister, Miss Myrtle F. Vermilion, who was teaching in the high school at that place. We were entertained at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Schreiber. Sister Myrtle took us sight seeing to the many places of interest in Halstead Saturday morning.
“In the afternoon rain began falling. We had planned to drive to Great Bend but stored the car, a Hudson Roadster, in Halstead and boarded the train for Great Bend. We arrived in Great Bend about 5:30, took a taxi who drove us to the residence of Mrs. Ellen Armstrong, grandmother of the groom, and Miss Ellen Gilek, sister of the groom, who made her home with her grandmother. We were very graciously entertained here.
“Sunday noon, we were entertained at a dinner honoring the bride & groom, in the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. I. Armstrong, Great Bend. Other guests were Mrs. Ellen Armstrong, Mrs. May Gill, Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Heaton, Miss Ellen Gilek, Ethel and Wilbur Armstrong.”
“We returned home Oct 31, after a most enjoyable trip sight seeing, visiting, meeting friends, etc.
“We drove into Corwin toward evening and to the farm home which was located 1-1/2 miles S.E. of Corwin, an 8-room, two story home. A beautiful home.
“The following evening the neighbors & friends of the groom came to greet us. It was to have been a surprise but we had expected them and heard the cars congregating at the intersection 1/4 mile east. We served apples-candy-nuts as refreshments.
“Those present were Rev. & Mrs. J.P. Jewel & Pauline, Mr. & Mrs. H.G. Woodworth, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Blankenship & family, Mr. & Mrs. W. E. Crow & family, Mr. & Mrs. A.G. Wells & family, Mr. & Mrs. A.W. Martinez.
“A part of the honeymoon trip was to stop at the (Wheat??) Show in Wichita. Met some friends there. Went to Innes Furniture Store where we purchased part of our household furniture, including walnut dresser ($40), 2 oak rockers ($14 and $16), oak buffet ($56), 2 non-tufted mattresses ($12 each), Axminister rug ($40), linoleum rug for dining room ($18), library table ($20), bed and springs, dishes, service for 12, Pope Gosser (?) pattern.”
“54” dining table (square with round corners) seating 12 people ($54), Hoosier kitchen cabinet, six oak dining chairs to match dining table.
“The bride provided curtains for every room in the home. Lace off white curtains with bronze drapers in the living and reception rooms. In the dining room, white marquisette curtains with blue draper. (Kitchen curtains white sheer.)
“Bedroom curtains were all marquisette and they were white. Drapers – one bedroom, green figured marquisette. The other bedroom drapers – one room – pink predominating with green foliage – the other yellow with green foliage.”
Lois Gilek was Rosa and William’s only child. Rosa captured some memories of Lois in the book.
“Lois Gilek gave the first student organ recital at KWU.”
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